Gattis 1

Victoria Gattis
Mantlo
20 October 2016
English IV
Body Image Issues
Throughout the world, body image has played an important role in public, society, and in
our daily lives. Body image is attributed emotionally, socially, and mentally. Mostly girls and
women are affected by their self- esteem, however men are also affected by the issue. Society
has a negative aspect toward body image issues, and is influenced by social media and
television, which can lead to drug abuse, eating disorders, addictions, and dysfunctional
childhood outcomes, or memories.
While many factors contribute to body image issues, the American media has played a
powerful and intensive role in how people view their bodies. According to Ballaro and Wagner,
Social media is blamed for the prevalence of body image pathologies among girls and women in
the U.S. Forms of media such as fashion magazines, and television is corresponded to the
development of eating disorders and body image concerns. Also, concerns of body image is
likely due to portrayal of thin models and celebrities. As women and men read fashion magazines
and pornography, they believe they should look that way. These bodies look perfect because of
airbrushing techniques and plastic surgery (Ballaro and Wagner). According to Shah,
Researchers found that people who use Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat, and Twitter were twice
as likely to having eating and body image problems. Overall, social media users interact and
propagate different stereotypes, and are driven with unreal images of men and women that can
lead to body image concerns.

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Body image concerns are also influenced by eating disorders, addictions, and drug abuse.
There are many types of eating disorders such as Anorexia Nervosa, Bulimia Nervosa, and Body
and Muscle Dysmorphia Disorder. According to Issitt, many people have argued that airbrushing
techniques contributes to eating disorders, by creating images unrealistically thin and cosmetic
perfections for the perfect body. Also, teens still seem to extend further in the issue by trying
drugs such as steroids and peptides to formulate the ultimate body. Teen boys who pump iron
and pop steroids hopes to improve their physical appearance, but can also lead to
addiction(Reinberg). "Queensland Health Needle and Syringe Program statistics show use of
anabolic steroids has risen from 2% in 2008 to 8% in 2012 and 2013 (Steroid Abuse a Growing
Trend Illegal Drugs Rife in Body Image Epidemic). The internet is making it easier for people to
find the drugs, and developing a program for using them.
Factors that also contribute to body image are childhood issues, social impulses, and
psychological experience. Physiological and socialized responses can be attributed to
dysfunctional childhood outcomes due to self esteem and nature. Psychologist warn parents who
belittle their children about controlling their physical appearance, causes problems when they are
older (Driscoll). According to Driscoll, individuals with eating disorders often cite the stress
caused by an increasingly competitive society as a factor for their low self esteem. Low self
esteem is known to be caused by childhood outcomes such as trauma and abuse. Experiences
with the people closest to the child during the early stages of development has significant
influences on those outcomes.

Society has a negative aspect toward body image issues, and is influenced by social
media and television, which can lead to drug abuse, eating disorders, addictions, and
dysfunctional childhood outcomes, or memories. The negative impacts and effects of body

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images issues are fatal, but also dangerous. Anorexia nervosa has the highest death rate of any
psychiatric illness. The mortality rate associated with body image issues is twelve times higher
than the death rate of all causes of death for females 15-24 years old. Without treatment, up to
20% of people with serious eating disorders die.

Works Cited

Ballaro, Beverly, and Geraldine Wagner. "Body Image & The Media: An Overview." Points Of
View: Body Image & The Media (2016): 1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 19
Oct. 2016.
Driscoll, Sally, and Tamara Campbell. "Counterpoint: Body Image Is Influenced By Many
Factors, Not Just The Media." Points Of View: Body Image & The Media (2016): 3.

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Points of View Reference Center. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.

Issitt, Micah. "Airbrushing In Advertisements: Overview." Points Of View: Airbrushing In
Advertising (2016): 1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
Reinberg, Steven. "Bodybuilding Boys Often Try Drugs and Alcohol, Study Finds." HealthDay
Consumer News Service 04 Nov. 2013: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 19 Oct.
2016.
Shah, Allie. "You are what you post: Eating disorders rise with social media use." Star Tribune
(Minneapolis, MN) 01 June 2016: Points of View Reference Center. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.
"Steroid abuse a growing trend Illegal drugs rife in body image epidemic." Daily News
(Warwick) 2014: 1. Points of View Reference Center. Web. 19 Oct. 2016.